226 Bird -Lore tent, while the letters of sympathy sent to the officers are a source of great encouragement. Many of the members have taken special interest in securing additional members, while others have made liberal contributions in addition to the annual fee of $5. The interest and earnestness of our members is an added guarantee of the future of the National Association. Our membership is now just over the thousand mark ; this gives an income of $5,000 from fees, and, as many of our members give special contributions in addition, our income from these sources the past year has been $8,773.67. With the greatest economy in expenditures, our finances showed a deficit at the end of the year of $523.54. During the coming year our income will be increased by the amount earned by our legacy. At this time it is fitting to speak of two matters of moment ; first, the very great importance of an increase in membership. The value of a large number of members is two-fold, for, in addition to the income so produced, the moral influence exerted is very great ; the individual has a personal in- fluence in his neighborhood ; the group of members has a still larger power for good in a state or nation, especially in creating public sentiment in favor of good legislation and the enforcement of laws. The membership of the National Association in no way conflicts with that of the separate but cog- nate membership of the State Societies. The second matter is in relation to the permanent endowment, which now practically amounts to $335,000. This is a superb beginning for a Society that was incorporated less than two years ago, but the endowment must not remain at this figure, for there is too much work still to be done. We have at the present time thirty-seven life members, whose fees are a part of the endowment. All of these mem- bers have the satisfaction of knowing that, when their life activities have ceased, their contribution of $100 will go on forever earning money with which to carry on the work of wild bird and animal protection in which they were interested. There are probably few individuals who are situated as was our great benefactor, first, with a compelling desire to protect help- less wild life; second, with the wealth to carry out such a desire, and, finally, with no family or dependents who could justly claim his protection. How- ever, there are many of our members who are in a position to add to our endowment, either now by becoming a Life Member, a Patron, a Founder or a Benefactor, or by a legacy. This thought is commended to your con- sideration in order that your present interest and support to this great and important movement may be perpetuated. In presenting the above suggestions regarding additional members and further legacies, I am simply carrying out one of the directions of our bene- factor, Mr. Willcox, from whose will the following quotation is made : "The other one-half of my residuary estate, after the death of my brother, David Willcox, I gave, devise and bequeath to the National Association of Audubon Societies for
